Discover

Discover. . , COVID-19 Pandemic Memorial Grove , Dedicated in 2021, the COVID-19 Pandemic Memorial Grove honors the lives that were lost, the sacrifices made, and the bravery of so many Ohioans who cared for others during the COVID-19 Pandemic., Trees were planted by Gov. Mike DeWine, ODNR Director Mary Mertz, COVID-19 survivors, families of Ohioans killed by the virus, healthcare workers, first responders, teachers, students, local community leaders, and other essential workers., Benefical Bats , What's the only mammal in the world that can truly fly and is also one of the most important animals in the global ecosystem? That's right-bats!, Bats eat up a lot of pesky insects and are a key piece of pollinating and spreading seeds. Up to 13 species of bats have been recorded in Ohio, four of which are considered endangered. We can help our flying friends by providing habitat like trees and bat boxes and reducing or stopping the use of chemical pesticides., Find the Fungus , During your summer park adventures, you might come across something that looks like a crazy fungus. They live most of their lives underground, lack any green color, and are not able to produce their own food; however, they are really plants! These unique species are called monotropes, and include ghost pipes and pinesaps. Both form relationships with certain fungi. The fungi have other relationships with nearby trees that give them their nutrients, which the monotropes then get from the fungi., When these plant flowers first come up, the tops point downward. After being pollinated by bees, the flowers start looking up towards the sky. While these plants might look like something from another planet, they're actually in the blueberry family!